A Multilevel Approach to Research ‘Obscure’ Innovation Processes and Practices

Abstract

The paper's aim is to discuss a need for a multilevel research approach to investigate innovation practices in organisations. We argue that this approach overcomes some of the limitations of the single level research methods commonly used investigating innovation performance and success. Specifically, the multilevel research approach allows researchers and subsequently organisations to take into consideration 'obscured' practices within innovation processes. First, we put forward a motion that innovation processes permeate the formalised organisational structures and practices. Then, we outline a case where many of the practices associated with innovation are 'obscured'. This is followed with discussion on how the commonly used single level research methods fail to take into consideration these obscured factors. We then introduce Activity Theory and propose a multilevel framework which aims to overcome the shortfalls of the previous analytical methods.

DRS2018: Catalyst

“…We consider that the theory has strong potential to be used as a powerful framework to decrypt and interpret the design activity of a team within an activity system. The theory is a powerful approach "to analyse development within practice through the social and contextual activities in which people develop their skills, personalities and consciousness" (Chatzakis et al, 2016, p. 1893referring to Sannino et al, 2009. It is with this systemic and contextualized perspective of the model that its strong correspondence with design activity becomes clear.…”

“…Activity Theory provides a simple but strong visual model that allows for general understanding and interpretation of a situation and its evolution in time (Chatzakis et al, 2016(Chatzakis et al, , p. 1893. Also, as mentioned by Engeström, Miettinen and Punamäki in Perspectives on Activity Theory (1999), we see AT as fit for today's complex and open-ended challenges: "Activity theory should not be regarded as a narrowly psychological theory but rather as a broad approach that takes a new perspective on and develops novel conceptual tools for tackling many of the theoretical and methodological questions that cut across the social sciences today" (Engeström et al 1999, p. 8).…”